Improvement in oatmeal-machines



2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

e Fly&

Patented May 28, 1878.

D. OLIVER. OatmeaI-Maohine.

No. .2o4,165.

OTD4JTHOGRAPNER, WASHINGT N. PETERS, P

UnrTEDSTATEs PATENT OF ICE.

DAVIID OLIVER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT lN OATMEAL-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 204.165. dated May 28,1878; application filed March 11, 1878.

- cross-section on line m x of Fig. 3; and Fig.

5, an under View of the agitator or rubber plate.

The object of this improvementis to improve the operation of machines frcuttng oaten grits by making its action more rapid; and its natureconsists in applying a rubber over the perforated plate; in making theperforated plate stationary and reoiprocatin g twoedged cutti'ng-bladesbeneath it, and in the several combinatons of parts hereinafter more'fully described and claimed.

In *the drawings, A R C represent a triangular framework; D the fixedperforated plate; E, the agitator; F, the reciprocating cutter-frame; G,the two-edged cutters, made wider at the middle than at the ends to givea slight draw-cut; H, pitman; I, crank-shaft; J, the agitator-pitman; K,crank-shaft; L M, pulley orbelt wheels; N, belt; a b, guide blocks orways, and c points or projections on the under face of the agitator.

The frame A B O is made tria-ngular in its side elevation, so as togivethe operative parts an inclined position, which position tends tofacilitate the passage of the grain over the perforated plate, and toits better distribution over the whole body thereof. Between the bars orrails G the pertorated plate D is permanently fixed, as shown. Thisplate, in its best form, is made of steel and drilled or punched full ofholes large enough to permit the passage of 'the oats and small enoughto keep them in an upright or partly upright position. It will improvethe action of this plate to ream the holes on the upper surface of theplate.

A cheaper plate' may be made of iron punched full of holes. The agitatorE may be made of wood or cast-iron, or partly .of both; lt is 'providedwith a frame or border 'coming nearly or quite in contact with the'close contact with the perforated plate D. The fra-me F is supported inways or guide- I blocks similar to those supporting and guiding theagitator, and it is operated bythe pitman H and crank-shaft I. i

A rapid movement is given to the knives or knit'e-frame, while a muchslower one is given to the agitator. As the agitator'lifts the grain inits upward movement, time must be allowed for it to fall back; and bythis movement of the grain in falling back down the incline by gravityit does not become compact, but is left measurably free to assume asuitable position for-passing into the perforations.

The knobs c may be applied to facilitate this operation or not, as naybe desired; but as one great objection to this kind of machines has beentheir slowness of operation it will be well to apply them. The hopper Oconnects with the space between the agitator and the* perforated plate,which space is open at the top or upper end,'anl the mouth of the hopperextends into this space sufficiently far to prevent its being uncoveredby the receding movement of the agitator or moving cover E.

In operation, power is applied to the shaft I, as indicated by the crankor winch, and the shaft K is driven by the pnlleys M L and belt N, or byother suitable gearing.

`I have described the machine as adapted to cutting oats or making oatengrits; but it is obvious that it may be used for other grains. What Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The agitator or rubber E, in combinan agitatoand perforated p1ate,'incombination ton with the perforated plate D,`sbstantia lly with 'frame Famd kives G, constructed and as specified. a'ranged substantially as andfor the purpose 2. The combination of the fixed plate D set forth. Withthe agitator E, frame F, and knves -G,

all constructed and operatin g substantially as witnesses: specified. L.EL. Bom),

3. The hopper O with space between the O W BOND DAVID OLIVER.

